Like it or not, Religion would be a major factor in deciding who is going to be the new Landlord at the Agodi Government House beginning from May 29, 2027.
Even though, we love to pretend a lot as a people but moving forward, Religion will become a factor to consider when setting up Government structures in Oyo state.
I raised the issue of pretence because we all love to talk about fairness and equity but always push aside the crucial point of justice.
I must say that the present Governor, Seyi Makinde is not also helping matters.
His unnecessary meddlesomeness in the Traditional Institutions, which apparently portray his Government as one favoring those who practice his faith, Christianity, against Moslems is not helping matters.
The situations in Ogbomoso, Iseyin and presently, Eruwa, are clear pointers to that effect.
If I am a Moslem, I will feel agitated to support a Christian candidate for the position of Governor in Oyo state in 2027.
Please, do not get me wrong.
I am not preaching divisive politics. I am merely stating the facts that the body language of the present Governor does not demonstrate justice for the practitioners of a particular Religious belief and it shouldn’t be so.
I am also saying that as a result of that, and the fact that Governor Makinde, who is a Christian will be completing an eighth years of two terms in 2027, justice demands that his successor should be a Moslem.
Even if Governor Makinde were to be generally fair to all, yet, the question of whether another Christian should succeed him would still be asked and as a Christian, I would answer that question in the negative.
The other issue that would be discussed and must be considered is the question of zoning, rotation or power shift. Whatever name you choose to give it.
Since 1999, all the Governors who have governed Oyo state, save for one, are all from Ibadan.
Adebayo Alao Akala, an Ogbomoso man was Governor of Oyo state between 2007 and 2011, not because an amicable agreement was reached between the zones of Oyo state.
Rather, his four years tenure could be regarded as a product of divine mercy.
I will not dissipate energy on how Akala became Governor in 2007 but just to say that he was Governor for four years between 2007 and 2011.
The late Chief Kolapo Olawuyi Isola, Lam Adesina, former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, late Abiola Ajimobi and the present Governor, Seyi Makinde are all from Ibadan.
Ibadan has been producing the Governors not because the other zones didn’t try to occupy the exalted seat or because we all agreed it should be so.
The likes of the late Chief Robert Koleoso from Oke Ogun, late Chief Aruna Elewi, from Oyo, former Senator Adeseun from Ogbomoso, Dr. Bayo Adewusi, from Eruwa, former Minister, Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu and former Deputy Governor, Raufu Olaniyan, to mention but a few, had at one time or the other threw their hats into the rings but all the attempts were futile.
Why is it so? Is it because, as some people erroneously believe, Ibadan has the comfortable numbers to dictate the tunes at will?
I think not.
How did former Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja become Governor? How did Akala become Governor? Lam Adesina, Ajimobi and even Makinde, how did they become Governors?
I can comfortably say that none of them became Governor on the strength of the votes from Ibadan.
It is the votes from outside of Ibadan that always settled the scores after the votes from Ibadan has been shared amongst the candidates.
Not only that. The numbers Ibadan has always relied upon includes that of an army of none Ibadan residents within Ibadan.
Ibadan has 11 out of the 33 Local Governments that makes up Oyo state and the other zones have 22.
That number should count for something.
I was discussing power shift with a friend of mine who is from Ibadan and his response was that, though, it is desirable, it is not yet time.
I laughed and told him that for an Ibadan man, no time will ever be good to discuss power shift.
I told him that no time is as good as now to discuss and ensure that power shifts elsewhere for the sake of justice.
I gave him the example of Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states and asked him why Oyo state should be different.
For me, I am of the very firm view that the time is ripe. Not only to discuss power shift but also, to see it done.
The issue is that we in the zones outside Ibadan must first agree within ourselves and ask ourselves the question, power shift, to where?
Like I said before, the only time Oyo state had a Governor from outside Ibadan, late Governor Adebayo Alao Akala from Ogbomoso was the beneficiary.
Ibadan has 11 out of the 33 Local Governments of Oyo state.
The next zone with the closest numbers of Local Governments is Oke Ogun with 10 Local Governments, one short of Ibadan’s 11.
Ibarapa has 3 Local Governments, Ogbomoso has 4 and Oyo has 5.
I am of the strong opinion that the aggrieved zones must play to strength.
What do I mean? Oke Ogun, with 10 Local Governments is the closest to Ibadan in terms of the numbers of Local Governments and population.
Oke Ogun is the strength of the aggrieved zones and I think a consensus must be built within the zones around a candidate from Oke Ogun.
Secondly, Oke Ogun must search for and produce a core Moslem candidate who has built relationships across the other zones of Oyo state, most especially, Ibadan.
Such a candidate must be such that has made friends with Ibadan, if possible, have business interests in Ibadan, and must be someone who will also appeal to Christian voters.
Good enough, two prominent sons of Oke Ogun have since made their intentions known to the public.
A former Deputy Governor to Governor Seyi Makinde, Eng. Raufu Olaniyan and former Minister Abdulraheem Adebayo Shittu have declared interests to run as Governor in 2027.
Fantastic individuals. I know others might still throw their hats into the rings as we move towards 2027.
However, there is no time left. Whatever has to be done must be done, conscious of the facts that the major political parties would soon be having their Party Congresses.
It is only when Oke Ogun has done the needful by settling for a generally acceptable material that the other zones could join to pressurize Ibadan to release the seat of the Governor for the zone.
May God crown the efforts of those who have been committed to this wonderful idea.
Share this content:
About The Author
